2 men held in confrontation with KRON TV reporter

Updated 12:32 pm, Sunday, September 29, 2013

San Francisco police arrested two men Saturday in the Friday night robbery of a KRON television reporter that ended with an accompanying security guard firing shots at the assailants.

Police said that Armani McFarland, 19, of San Francisco was arrested on suspicion of robbery, conspiracy and possession of a firearm. John Woods, 19, of San Francisco was arrested on suspicion of robbery and conspiracy. Both are in custody. One of the subjects was treated Friday night at San Francisco General Hospital for a non-life-threatening gunshot injury. Police did not specify which suspect had been shot.

The incident happened about 8 p.m. on the 1500 block of La Salle Avenue in the Bayview.

In a story on its website, KRON said reporter Jeff Bush and a security guard were accosted by two armed men who demanded Bush's equipment. Bush surrendered the equipment and "took cover" as the security guard opened fire, the station said.

A black Audi showed up later at San Francisco General Hospital with two men, one of whom was suffering from a gunshot wound, authorities said. The occupants told police that they had been fired upon near Third Street and La Salle Avenue, not far from where Bush was accosted, police said.

Bush, a 12-year KRON veteran, and the guard weren't hurt, the station said.

The episode is the latest in a spate of holdups or confrontations targeting the media. The bulk of the previous incidents, however, have happened in Oakland, where journalists have been robbed and accosted, some in the middle of the day. In one incident, a robber grabbed a camera during a live noon broadcast.

In response, several TV stations have hired security guards to shadow reporters and camera operators in Oakland. Many of the guards are retired police officers.